Well-read & Unfiltered

Well-Read & Unfiltered Podcast
  • 5.0 (6)
  • Books

Welcome to Well-Read & Unfiltered, a weekly podcast where we get together to talk about books, bookish trends, and the ever-evolving world of book culture. From new releases, underrated gems, overhyped bestsellers, and the latest conversations happening across BookTok, Bookstagram, bookstores, and beyond, we’re here for all of the unfiltered discussions about the stories and characters to impact us all. Each episode features conversational deep dives, themed book discussions, current reads, reading trends, publishing news, and occasional book club episodes where we unpack one selected title together. Whether you love literary fiction, fantasy, horror, thrillers, sci-fi, romance, or romantasy, there’s a place for you here. Hosted by Aaron, K, and Casey from across the United States, Well-Read & Unfiltered is less about perfect reviews and more about authentic conversations, differing opinions, and building a community around the books we cannot stop thinking about. New episodes every Monday or Tuesday, so grab your current read and join the conversation! Be sure to follow us on Instagram for the latest news and content at @wellreadandunfilteredpodcast

Episodes

  1. 1d ago

    Episode 5: Our July 2026 Reading Recap!

    July gave us everything: five-star classics, bizarre sci-fi, heartbreaking historical fiction, horror that left us speechless, and a few books that missed the mark! In this episode we’re sharing our biggest surprise reads, the books that didn’t quite live up to the hype, our favorite book of July, and the books we’re most excited to read next. What’s the best book you read in July? Let us know in the comments wherever you listened to this podcast! And be sure to follow us on Instagram at @wellreadandunfilteredpodcast to get the latest updates! BOOKS MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE The Luminous Dead - Caitlin Starling (Horror) The Starving Saints - Caitlin Starling (Horror) Jurassic Park - Michael Crichton (Sci-fi) Congo - Michael Crichton (Sci-fi) My Friends - Fredrik Backman (Literary Fiction) Beartown - Fredrik Backman (Literary Fiction) A Man Called Ove - Fredrik Backman (Literary Fiction) After I Do - Taylor Jenkins Reid (Romance) Forever, Interrupted - Taylor Jenkins Reid (Romance) A (Dead) Thing Like Me - E. G. Young (Cozy Horror)
The Boyhood of Cain - Michael Amherst (Literary Fiction) The Sixth Nik - Daniel Kraus (Sci-fi Horror) Whalefall - Daniel Kraus (Sci-fi Horror) A Darker Shade of Magic - V. E. Schwab (Fantasy) Villains Series - V. E. Schwab (Sci-fi Fantasy) Of Blood and Fire - Ryan Cahill (Fantasy) Red Rising - Pierce Brown (Sci-fi) The Lord of the Rings - J.R.R. Tolkien (Fantasy) The Fall - Ryan Cahill (Fantasy) John Dies at the End - Jason Pargin (Horror Comedy) There Are No Giant Crabs in This Novel - Jason Pargin (Horror Comedy) East of Eden - John Steinbeck (Classic) Pachinko - Min Jin Lee (Historical Fiction) Off to the Races - Elsie Silver (Romance) Hamnet - Maggie O'Farrell (Historical Fiction) Lost Lambs - Madeline Cash (Satire Fiction) Angel Down - Daniel Kraus (Historical Horror) Valour - John Gwynne (Fantasy) Malice - John Gwynne (Fantasy) The Only Way Out Is Up - Django Wexler (Sci-fi) Dungeon Crawler Carl - Matt Dinniman (Sci-fi) John of John - Douglas Stuart (Literary Fiction) Young Mungo - Douglas Stuart (Literary Fiction) Shuggie Bain - Douglas Stuart (Literary Fiction)

  2. Jul 27

    Episode 4: Bookish Characters -The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly

    Episode 4 is all about the characters that stay with us long after we finish a book. We dive into what makes a truly unforgettable character, debate whether flawed protagonists are better than perfect heroes, celebrate our favorite sidekicks (human and animal), and reveal the book characters we simply can’t stand. From Red Rising and Dungeon Crawler Carl to Project Hail Mary, The Sword of Kaigen, Fourth Wing, Lord of the Rings, and more, it’s a fun, spoiler-light conversation about the fictional people who make us laugh, cry, rage, and keep turning the pages. BOOKS MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE Yesteryear - Caro Claire Burke (Satire Fiction) The Knight and the Moth - Rachel Gillig (Romantasy) One Dark Window - Rachel Gillig (Romantasy) The Faithful and the Fallen Series - John Gwynne (Fantasy) The Mean Ones - Tatiana Schlote-Bonne (Horror) Mile High - Liz Tomforde (Romance) A Court of Thorns and Roses - Sarah J. Maas (Romantasy) A Court of Silver Flames - Sarah J. Maas (Romantasy) Giovanni's Room - James Baldwin (Literary Fiction) The Sword of Kaigen - M. L. Wang (Fantasy) Project Hail Mary - Andy Weir (Sci-fi) Red Rising - Pierce Brown (Sci-fi/Fantasy) Fourth Wing - Rebecca Yarros (Romantasy) Throne of Glass - Sarah J. Maas (Romantasy) Dungeon Crawler Carl - Matt Dinniman (Sci-fi) The Bloodsworn Trilogy - John Gwynne (Fantasy) Lord of the Rings - J. R. R. Tolkien (Fantasy) The Devils - Joe Abercrombie (Fantasy) Between Two Fires - Christopher Buehlman (Horror/Fantasy) A Little Life - Hanya Yanagihara (Literary Fiction) Deep End - Ali Hazelwood (Romance) We Are Legion (We Are Bob) - Dennis E. Taylor (Sci-fi) The Stormlight Archive series - Brandon Sanderson (Fantasy) Adrift - Will Dean (Thriller) The Dungeon Anarchist's Cookbook - Matt Dinniman (Sci-fi) North Woods - Daniel Mason (Historical Fiction) Land - Maggie O'Farrell (Literary Fiction)
Of Blood and Fire - Ryan Cahill (Fantasy) Malice - John Gwynne (Fantasy) Our Perfect Storm - Carley Fortune (Romance) Sarafina - Philip Fracassi (Horror) Fabulous Bodies - Chuck Tingle (horror) ACCOUNTS MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE @thewindedbibliophile

  3. Jul 20

    Episode 3: The Next Read Dilemma

    This week on Well-Read & Unfiltered, we’re tackling one of the biggest questions every reader faces: How do you decide what to read next? From meticulously planned TBRs to chaotic mood reading, social media recommendations, book clubs, and the pressure of FOMO, we’re unpacking how our reading choices are shaped, and whether that’s a good thing. Are you a planner, a mood reader, or a full-on chaos gremlin? We’d love to hear your process! After listening to this episode, come back and join the conversation below. If you enjoyed the episode, don’t forget to like, comment, save, and share this post, and please follow the podcast and leave us a rating and review because it helps more readers discover Well-Read & Unfiltered. And as always, be sure to follow our account on Instagram at @wellreadandunfilteredpodcast for the latest news and updates! BOOKS MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE Recursion - Blake Crouch (Sci-fi) Heartless - Elsie Silver (Romance) Blood Over Bright Haven - M. L. Wang (Sci-fi/Fantasy) East of Eden - John Steinbeck (Classic) The Second Death of Locke - V. L. Bovalino (Romantasy) Empire of the Vampire -Jay Kristoff (Fantasy) Iron Gold - Pierce Brown (Sci-fi/Fantasy) The Shining - Stephen King (Horror) Doctor Zhivago - Boris Pasternak (Classic) Yesteryear - Caro Claire Burke (Satire Fiction) Red Rising - Pierce Brown (Sci-fi/Fantasy) Dungeon Crawler Carl - Matt Dinniman (LitRPG) The Birds - Daphne du Maurier (Classic Horror) Hollow Kingdom - Kira Jane Buxton (Horror The Song of Achilles - Madeline Miller (Fantasy) Earthlings - Sayaka Murata (Literary Horror)
Land - Maggie O'Farrell (Literary Fiction) The Dungeon Anarchist's Cookbook (DDC3)- Matt Dinniman (LitRPG) North Woods - Daniel Mason (Literary Fiction) Trad Wife - Sarah Langan (Horror) Trad Wife - Saratoga Schaefer (Horror) Sarafina - Philip Fracassi (Horror) Rise of the Ranger - Philip C. Quaintrell (Fantasy) A Little Life - Hanya Yanagihara (Literary Fiction) The Ballad of Falling Dragons - Sarah A. Parker (Romantasy) The Everlasting - Alix E. Harrow (Fantasy) Our Perfect Storm - Carley Fortune (Romance) Wild Dark Shore - Charlotte McConaghy (Literary Thriller) Malice - John Gwynne (Fantasy)

  4. Jul 13

    Episode 2: Are Book Reviews Dead on Social Media?

    Are book reviews dead on social media, or have they simply been forced to evolve? In this episode, we talk about how the Bookstagram algorithm favors pretty photos, quick reactions, and trope lists over thoughtful reviews. We also compare our different rating styles, discuss review burnout, and ask what really makes a book five stars. Listeners: Are book reviews dead on social media? Comment below, and be sure to go check out our account on Bookstagram at @wellreadandunfilteredpodcast for our latest post about this week's episode! Books Mentioned in this Episode The Open Era - Edward Schmit (LGBTQIA+ Romance) Hamnet - Maggie O'Farrell (Literary Fiction) A Little Life - Hanya Yanagihara (Literary Fiction) Red Rising - Pierce Brown (Sci-fi/Fantasy) The Caretaker - Marcus Kliewer (Horror) Small Town Horror - Ronald Malfi (Horror) The Tell-Tale Butt - Chuck Tingle (Sentient Romance) A Court of Thorns and Roses - Sarah J. Maas (Romantasy) Shy Girl - Mia Ballard (Horror) A Language of Limbs - Dylin Hardcastle (Literary Fiction) Tales from the Gas Station: Volume One - Jack Townsend (Horror Comedy) The Song of Achilles - Madeline Miller (Fantasy/Romance) Celestial Lights - Cecile Pin (Sci-fi/(Literary Fiction) Project Hail Mary - Andy Weir (Sci-fi) Dark Age - Pierce Brown (Sci-fi/Fantasy) Cold Sweat - Vera Valentine (Sentient Romance) Throne of Glass - Sarah J. Maas (Romantasy) The Spellshop - Sarah Beth Durst (Cozy Fantasy) Assistant to the Villain - Hannah Nicole Maehrer (Cozy Romantasy) The Bloodsworn Saga - John Gwynne (Fantasy) The Faithful and the Fallen - John Gwynne (Fantasy) The Way of Kings - Brandon Sanderson (Fantasy) When the Moon Hatched - Sarah A. Parker (Romantasy) Yesteryear - Caro Claire Burke (Satirical Fiction) A Parade of Horribles - Matt Dinniman (Lit RPG) The Butcher's Masquerade - Matt Dinniman (Lit RPG) Bookstagram Accounts Mentioned in Episode @bookwyrm.beth

  5. Jul 7

    Episode 1: Introducing Well-read & Unfiltered and Your Hosts: Aaron, K, Casey, and Hillary!

    Welcome to Episode 1 of Well-Read & Unfiltered! In our debut episode, we're introducing ourselves through the books and experiences that shaped us as readers. We share how we found Bookstagram, our favorite and least favorite genres, our auto-buy authors, and the stories that continue to define our reading lives. Grab your favorite drink, get comfortable, and join us for the very first unfiltered conversation. 📚🎙️

  • 5 Episodes

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
6 Ratings

About

Welcome to Well-Read & Unfiltered, a weekly podcast where we get together to talk about books, bookish trends, and the ever-evolving world of book culture. From new releases, underrated gems, overhyped bestsellers, and the latest conversations happening across BookTok, Bookstagram, bookstores, and beyond, we’re here for all of the unfiltered discussions about the stories and characters to impact us all. Each episode features conversational deep dives, themed book discussions, current reads, reading trends, publishing news, and occasional book club episodes where we unpack one selected title together. Whether you love literary fiction, fantasy, horror, thrillers, sci-fi, romance, or romantasy, there’s a place for you here. Hosted by Aaron, K, and Casey from across the United States, Well-Read & Unfiltered is less about perfect reviews and more about authentic conversations, differing opinions, and building a community around the books we cannot stop thinking about. New episodes every Monday or Tuesday, so grab your current read and join the conversation! Be sure to follow us on Instagram for the latest news and content at @wellreadandunfilteredpodcast

Information

  • Creator
    Well-Read & Unfiltered Podcast
  • Years Active
    2026
  • Episodes
    5
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Well-Read & Unfiltered Podcast
  • Show Website
    Well-read & Unfiltered